Jab, jab, cross, combo. Duck. Right uppercut, left hook. James’ leg tangles around mine for a take down but I fling my knee up, narrowly missing his guard. Uppercut, grip, swing, headlock. Flip.
There’s a loud thud as I release my hold, and then the bell sounds.
Round one goes as smoothly as I could hope for. Aside from a few cuts and bruises that will certainly reveal themselves by morning, I’m relatively unscathed. Now the struggle is that I’ll start crashing from the adrenaline of the first round.
Ding ding ding
Jab, jab, duck. I shield my head as James lays into me. He gives it his all, he’s got me up against the ropes and I know I’ll pay for it tomorrow. I manage to block his next punch and get out of there.
He shakes it off and closes in again.
Double jab, right hook, jab, cross. Duck, jab, cross. I block a wide swing and slip inside with a blow to his stomach, once he’s off guard and in position I follow through with an uppercut. I edge back before charging with a surprise attack, a powerful downward hook. Jumping and throwing my whole body into the punch, my elation grows as he drops to his knees.
The bell rings and I’m already taking the ice pack from Stefan and pressing it to my temple. I grab a few small sips of water while Stefan talks.
“You’re doing good, okay? Just keep it up. Oh, by the way, you have an admirer.” He says in a hurry.
I nod along before my brow furrows together in confusion and I realize what he’s actually said. “Who?” I ask, scanning the immediate area.
“Blonde kid over there,” he says, pointing in some direction. I look over to see the guy staring right at us.
“Who is he?” I feel my brows scrunch with intrigue as I look him up and down.
“A fighter. Name is Cameron Stolt. He’s been asking about you, he’s been watching the match. Wants to talk to you after, he’ll be by the changing room when the match is over.” Steve continues, talking all through my break.
Ding ding ding
I spend most of round three just blocking and dodging hits. I bide my time until I get my chance. I know when he starts to tire. His breath becoming more laboured, his feet slowing, his eyes flying around the cage. It won't be long until he slips up, leaving himself open for my attack. Using all my energy, I finish the third round with my signature blow. A quick jab, jab, hook, cross, followed by a straight kick to the chest. And… he’s done, flat on his back.
I press my knee into his throat, leaning all of my weight on his windpipe, allowing the adrenaline to course through my body once again. This is it; my make or break moment.
I don’t have a long wait before his lack of air forces him to smack his arm at the ground, calling a forfeit just seconds before the bell signaling the end of the match.
Ding ding ding
I’m announced as the winner. James paces, spraying water everywhere as a heated argument breaks between him and his team. I don’t hang around for the crowds but as I make my way back to the changing room I know, for once, I’m smiling. I pass by Stefan who hands over the prize money, butterflies won’t settle in my stomach.
This money means the world for me. It means after months of scrimping and saving I can finally afford college. I can finally break free and live my life on my terms.
“Congratulations.” My eyes fly up to see the blonde guy, Cameron, leaning against the wall in front of me. I stop in front of him, curious to know what he wants before entering the changing room.
“Thanks.” I let out, flying high from my win. It didn’t matter how many injuries I had, the other guy had more. “So, did you want something?”
“Just to talk. My trainer suggested I come down to watch one of your fights. I was really surprised, especially that last round.” He states as if I should be flattered, but he doesn’t have my full attention as I begin unwrapping my hand.
He pauses, waiting for me to react, but decides to continue after seeing my lack of interest. “Anyway, I just wanted to say hi. Stefan said that you’re going to Preston in the fall, at least now you’ll know a friendly face.”
“You go to Preston?” Unfortunately, he just so happens to mention my one interest - aside from this.
I’ve spent years pushing all my limits in school to try for a scholarship. When that fell through, I knew I had to do something big to score payment for my tuition fees.
Preston University had been my dream for as long as I could remember. I knew that I needed out of my life, it also wasn’t feasible to fight for a living. The only way out was a college degree.
It didn’t hurt that Preston is where Stefan and my dad met. It would be nice to have that, however small, connection to my father.
“Let me buy you a cup of coffee?” he asks.
After thinking a moment I let out a soft sigh, before answering. “Sure.”
I mean, what was the worst that could happen. If he had the Stefan seal of approval, he can’t be too bad. I’ve never been very good at making friends, so it would be good to know even one person on campus.
“I’ll just change quickly. Meet you outside?”
I watch him as he nods, smiles and backs out of the locker room, waiting until the door is closed before pulling my bag open and dumping out my fresh clothes. I’m feeling pretty proud of myself, Stefan is always pushing me to socialize more. Now that I have the money, maybe a potential friend really would be nice. Preston University is looking even better already.
